The government of Adamawa State, North-East Nigeria has taken delivery of 200,000 doses of cholera vaccine from UNICEF in response to an outbreak that has affected four Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday in Yola, the state capital, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Felix Tangwani, confirmed the receipt of the vaccines and announced that more doses are expected. The vaccination drive will prioritise the most affected areas, including Yola-North, Yola-South, Fufore, and Girei LGAs, in an effort to bolster immunity and contain the outbreak.
Tangwani disclosed that of the 50 samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja, 30 tested positive for cholera, six were negative, two are still being processed, and 12 remain pending.
So far, the disease has claimed 12 lives, with six deaths occurring in medical facilities and six reported at home.
Tangwani emphasised the importance of accurate diagnosis, noting that misdiagnosis could lead to fatal consequences. “We were trained to ensure there is accuracy so that lives are not threatened,” he said.
In addition to the vaccination programme, the state government is taking urgent measures to control the outbreak, with support from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). A rapid response team is expected to arrive in Adamawa soon to assist local health authorities.
Tangwani urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with health workers involved in the awareness campaign. He also stressed the importance of personal hygiene, particularly with regard to the water sources used by the public.